There are few archaeological remains to provide evidence for clothing: some fabric, shoe leather, metal fasteners and pins.

Evidence comes from busts, statues and frescoes.

Busts and statues are representations of the elite and show them in clothes that would not have been worn every day.

Marcus Nonius Balbus and Marcus Calitorius (Herculaneum) wear the heavy Roman toga which would only have been worn on rare formal occasions.

Marcus Halconius Rufus (Pompeii) wears a military uniform with cuirass. This represents his honorary position as military tribune.

Marcus Holconius Rufus

Usual clothing for men: a knee-length tunic with purple stripes on the back and front. A winder stripe signified one’s higher rank in society.

Respectable women wore an ankle-length stola and a woollen palla or mantle. These signified her chastity and modesty.

Frescoes of everyday life show the clothes that were commonly worn.

Frescoes from the Praedia of Julia Felix show textiles being sold, a school boy being punished and shoes being sold.

Punishment of a schoolboy - from Praedia of Julia Felix - now in NAM

Above: Punishment of a schoolboy. A group of at least seven schoolboys, standing or seated with a writing tablet on the knees, beneath a high-columned portico, observe the punishment of a classmate by two male figures who strike him with a whip. The youth, naked for the punishment, is held by the arms and raised from the ground on the shoulders of a classmate, while another restrains his legs. On the left is the magistrate, recognisable by the long tunic and the goatee beard.

Selling textiles - from Praedia of Julia Felix - now in NAM

Above: The selling of textiles. Two ladies seated on a bench are examining a cut of red cloth. Behind them, a serving girl watches the scene. On the right, another vendor with a roll of green cloth on his shoulders is in animated discussion with two ladies: the old one wears a yellow cloak (palla) and has her hair gathered in a bonnet; the younger one wears a long red tunic.